The X Factor airs in the United Kingdom on itv, each year the show auditions musical hopefuls from across the country, as they hope to progress to through the stages of the competition to be crowned the winner of the series. If they win, they earn a record deal through show creator Simon Cowell's record label.

The auditions take place and are judged by a panel who decide whether the act will progress to the next stage of the competition. The successful acts then audition again this time in an arena. The judges then find out which category of singers they will be mentoring for the series - Groups, Boys, Girls and Over 25s. The judges then have to decide on six contestants to progress through to the next stage of the competition. To do this a 'Six Chair Challenge' round is used, in which each successful auditionee performs hoping to win one of the six chairs each judge has to offer them. None of the seats necessarily mean that a performer is ever safe, as a judge can opt to switch contestants around whilst this stage of the competition plays out. The successful six acts then join the judges at the Judges Houses round of the competition. Here, the judge is joined by guest mentor(s) from the world of music, who help them to decide which acts to take through to the live stages of the competition. The show then goes live every weekend and each week the two acts with the lowest amount of public votes have to sing again in a final showdown after which the judges decide who should be eliminated. Once there are only five acts left remaining it becomes left to the public to decide who should go.

Kate Thornton originally hosted the show for the first three years, but she was replaced by Dermot O'Leary when the fourth series began in 2007. The panel of judges has often changed as well. The show originally had three judges Simon Cowell, Sharon Osbourne and Louis Walsh. For the fourth series a additional judge was added, with Dannii Minogue joining the panel. Sharon left the show after the fourth series, she was replaced by Cheryl Cole. The panel went through a revamp in the shows eighth series, with Louis Walsh left as the only remaining judge, he was joined by new head judge Gary Barlow, Kelly Rowland and Tulisa Contostavlos. Kelly only remained on the show for one series, with Nicole Scherzinger replacing her in the ninth series. Tulisa left the panel at the end of series nine, making way for the return of original judge Sharon Osbourne, who returned to be part of the shows tenth anniversary. For the eleventh series in 2014, Gary, Nicole and Sharon have been replaced by original judge Simon Cowell, returning judge Cheryl Cole and new judge Mel B. Louis Walsh is the only judge to have remained on the panel since the start of the show.

Great show but one problem, it's going downhill!Rating: 0 likes, 1 dislikes

When "The X Factor" first came on TV, I wasn't that interested in it but my mother watched some of the show in it's first and second seasons but when the third season came on, a friend recommended it to me and so I watched it and started to like it, it was a cool show all the way through the season and the first two seasons sounded cool too but when the fourth season came on, it started to go downhill I mean the episodes weren't as good as they used to be, Danni's alright but I actually prefer it with the first three judges, Sharon seems to think EVERYONE is "gorgeous" and "talented" now rather than she used to give out her OWN opinion about how people aren't talented and are talented and what else is going wrong with this show is that well every time the winner of the contest is number 1 in the charts just because they won "The X Factor", I say let other people have the spotlight of being number 1 in the charts at Christmas rather than having "The X Factor" contestants being number 1. I think it should be cancelled because it's getting kinda boring, but if it does get cancelled, I'll always treasure for what was once a good show. Read more

10x14: Series 10 - Elimination - 1 (Result) recap: Dermot announces that he will reveal the act that will compete against Shelley Smith in the sing off. Shelley received the least amount of votes in the flash vote, so she is already in the showdown. Dermot also says that Ellie Goulding and Cher will also be performing tonight. He calls the judges on stage and they take their seats. Dermot introduces the finalists, who all sing together for the first time. They sing 'Get Lucky' by Daft Punk... read more.

10x13: Series 10 - Elimination - 1 recap: Tonight is 80's night and there's a new twist, a flash vote. Dermot O'Leary announces that this is the first live show of the season. He introduces the judges and explains the flash vote. After ten minutes of voting, the contestant with the least votes will definitely compete in tomorrow's showdown... read more.

10x12: Series 10 - Boot Camp 4 recap: The group category are the first to meet at the airport. They are all excited when they find out they will be going to New York. Gary informs them that they can all spend the day in New York because the audition isn't til the next day. At the airport, the girls find out that they will be heading to Antigua... read more.

10x11: Series 10 - Boot Camp 3 recap: The judges bring the contestants to their houses this week and with the help of guest judges must decide the top three in their respective categories... read more.

10x10: Series 10 - Boot Camp 2 recap: Nicole has chosen her six and tonight Gary and Louis will also choose their top six. First though, Sharon must finish choosing for her category. Three seats are already taken by Sam, Sabrina and Joseph. The first to audition is Shelley Smith, a van driver. She does a great job and receives a standing ovation. Gary compliments her on her vocal range and Louis thinks she is something special. Sharon sends her over to take a seat in the top six. Sharon calls up Shelley's daughter and tells her to go hug her mother... read more.